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Open Poetry #37
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Honeybee
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372
Ontario, CANADA

0 posted 2006-05-19 11:50 PM



Splinter  

I sat staring, still,
the sting of want
waiting for him to smile
through crossed arms
and tattoos that tore the skin.

Even as they sang happy birthday
he refused to play pretend
through childhood eyes
vilifying the lies with the truth
that I was a mistake.

But, the cake stood tall
as the glee of cousins and classmates
permeated the walls
covering the blood stains
and sorrow screams
from the times he slammed
my mother and I into the edge of insanity.

She grinned at me
as the gold from her ring reflected
the sacrifice of a woman
and how a child would become
their hate
of putting things on hold
and settling for less.

The children yelled, "Surprise!"
and laughed my innocence
as I blew out hope's flame
wishing for the prince
who would save me from this.

The icing strutted sepia smooth
as little fingers snuck a sample
still giggling after he called me stupid
slapping my face with the TV guide;
Though the lick of lips verified
how chocolate never taste so good.
I wasn't humiliated
all sense of dignity I once owned
was lost years ago
as I clutched the balloon
that held it's breath with disappointment
ready to burst like piñata poured pain.

The way he chomped his gum
beneath his Hitler mustache
was enough to unnerve me;
Scattering Scorpio hairs
heiled the monster that watched
through black pupils
like a tiger ready to pounce it’s prey
forewarning in it’s calm
of what tortures he may bring.

"I love you, Daddy," I said
in my attempt for escape
but he got his smug satisfaction
by deflating my balloon with his cigarette
while his hockey teammate spit beer in my face.

I don't think I ever cried harder in my life.

The camera flash molested the moment
capturing the quickly dried tears
and newspaper print on cheek
force to pose happiness –
imposter in white dress,
a reminder of how ugly I am.

I was allowed to hold the Polaroid
waving the mediocre hues back and forth
until the image grew brave.
My mother boasted
like a rooster cocking it's body through the dirt
as all the other mothers agreed
"such a pretty little girl."

Now I know why I hate photographs
how the false light steals your soul
and marks the permanence of hurt.

I am the sacrifice of a woman
how a child would become hate
of putting things on hold
and settling for less
reliving the same cycle.

If left on it's own,
the heart will eventually
rid itself
of a hurtful splinter
or encompass it completely
if it lies too deep.

I still have that picture.

Melissa Long-Monette



Intellectually I know that Canada is no better than any other country. Emotionally I KNOW that Canada is the best country in the world!

© Copyright 2006 Melissa P. Long-Monette - All Rights Reserved
bubblesleave
Member
since 2006-03-04
Posts 197
Bloomington, IN
1 posted 2006-05-20 12:41 PM


Love these lines:

"She grinned at me
as the gold from her ring reflected
the sacrifice of a woman"

Ummmmmmmmm


Sharon

shirtless
Member
since 2006-04-29
Posts 359

2 posted 2006-05-20 12:48 PM


Your poem is horrifyingly beautiful.
XOx Uriah xOX
Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403
Virginia
3 posted 2006-05-21 07:39 AM


::shakes head in amazement::

tragic beauty

Powerful !

I do hope you move this over to #38 if possible.  This is far too great to be lost in the shuffle so soon.

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
4 posted 2006-05-21 10:36 AM


Melissa~
When you dig in ... you really dig in~
This is one fine, fine piece of writing~

As I read it again ... and again, I find something new that touches me~

I'll be back ... there are sooooooooooo many thoughts here that are creatively unique .. creatively YOU~

*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email -       noles1@totcon.com     

themute
Member
since 2006-05-08
Posts 469
Maryland
5 posted 2006-05-21 10:50 AM


One of the saddest splinters I've ever heard, wonderfuly writen.
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
6 posted 2006-05-21 03:02 PM



You've festered something
tragically real...




Ella Blue
Junior Member
since 2006-05-26
Posts 47

7 posted 2006-05-27 04:22 PM


This is simply amazing. Stark, sadly predictable for it's humanity, and incredibly courgeous in it's honesty.
Stunning pictures, that I wouldn't want running through my mind on a consistent basis.
thank you for this...sweet nightmare?

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